The excerpt mentions results contradicting earlier findings; what is the likely scholarly response?

The excerpt mentions results contradicting earlier findings; what is the likely scholarly response?

• A. Abandonment of the theory
• B. Revision or refinement of the theory
• C. Ignore contradictory results
• D. Acceptance without change

Answer: (B)

When results contradict earlier findings, scholars usually revise or refine the theory to account for the new evidence. In science, theories are adaptable models that grow stronger by incorporating new data, testing assumptions, and expanding to cover additional conditions or phenomena. This often means adjusting parameters, integrating new mechanisms, or developing a more general framework that explains both old and new results. Abandoning the theory outright, ignoring contradictory data, or accepting it unchanged would fail to address the new evidence and weaken scientific understanding, so revision or refinement is the appropriate response.

When results contradict earlier findings, scholars usually revise or refine the theory to account for the new evidence. In science, theories are adaptable models that grow stronger by incorporating new data, testing assumptions, and expanding to cover additional conditions or phenomena. This often means adjusting parameters, integrating new mechanisms, or developing a more general framework that explains both old and new results. Abandoning the theory outright, ignoring contradictory data, or accepting it unchanged would fail to address the new evidence and weaken scientific understanding, so revision or refinement is the appropriate response.